When Izuku Midoriya opened his eyes, he saw a familiar ceiling and familiar sheets.He knew immediately—he was safe.
"All Might, sir…"
Turning his head, he saw All Might standing beside his bed in his ordinary, weakened form.
"You're awake…"
"How are the others?" Izuku asked.
"The students are all fine. Just minor injuries."
"That's great to hear." Izuku smiled in relief.
"Yes," All Might nodded. "Being attacked by villains during school hours and still surviving… you really are the most unusual class I've ever taught."
"I remember—you're a first-time teacher, right?" Izuku said.
"Hahaha…" All Might laughed awkwardly.
"That's why," a voice said dryly, "you shouldn't boast about how knowledgeable you are in front of others. It's embarrassing when you get exposed."
Recovery Girl walked over, leaning on her cane.
"All right, young Izuku. How are you feeling?"
"I'm mostly okay," Izuku answered honestly. "My back still hurts, though."
"That's because the skin on your back hasn't fully healed yet."
"Izuku! We came to see you!"
Suddenly, a group of familiar faces rushed into the infirmary—including a very irritated-looking Bakugo Katsuki.
"Hey, everyone," Izuku said, raising his right hand in greeting.
"How do you feel?" Ochaco Uraraka asked, rushing over first.
"Well… I guess I'm okay."
"Okay, my foot!" Recovery Girl snapped. "You're going into surgery in a bit! Out! All of you, get out!"
"Surgery?!"All the students—including Bakugo—froze in shock. Surgery, and he still called it "okay"?
Outside the infirmary, the class began discussing where to go later that evening to relax. After everything they'd been through, their nerves were still on edge.
"Let's go karaoke," someone suggested. "Screaming your lungs out really helps."
"No way. We should go to one of those stress-release rooms instead."
Just as they were debating, a soul-shattering scream echoed from inside the infirmary.
"IT HURTS!!!!!!!"
Everyone clamped their hands over their ears.
"Is… is Izuku really okay…?"
"Maybe we should… talk about relaxing somewhere else?"
"Yeah."
They returned to the classroom and continued their discussion.
Half an hour later, a scowling Bakugo stormed out and headed for the infirmary.
"Oh, Midoriya?" a nurse said. "He went upstairs to the duty room with All Might. Why?"
"Tell that useless idiot to come back and get his bag," Bakugo muttered, rubbing his neck as he climbed to the second floor.
When he reached the duty room and was about to open the door, he overheard voices inside.
"All Might," Izuku said seriously, "I want you to promise me something."
"What is it? Let's hear it first," All Might replied, lifting his teacup.
"I… I want you to knight me!"
"PFFFT—!"
All Might spat his tea, barely missing Izuku.
"What did you say? Knight you? I'm not a king—and you're not some medieval kid dreaming of knighthood!" he said, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.
"It's fine, it's fine! Just a formality."
"…Give me a moment," All Might said, pulling out his phone and searching for knighting rituals.
After a minute, he put it away and thought carefully.
"If that's all… then I'll agree," All Might said. "After all—you saved my life."
That damn Deku saved All Might's life?!Bakugo's grip on the door handle began to heat up. Since when?! What else is that bastard hiding from me?!
"Thank you! That's perfect!" Izuku called out. "Mobile Pegasus!"
Outside the school, Mobile Pegasus immediately transformed upon hearing Izuku's voice. It navigated through the campus obstacles and arrived inside the duty room.
"Uh… what is this thing?" All Might asked, confused. "It looks like something from the Support Course."
"This is Mobile Pegasus—my AI robot," Izuku said proudly. "Mobile Pegasus, greet All Might."
"Beep-beep~"The robot bowed politely.
"All right then," All Might said, returning the greeting. "Is the ceremony happening here?"
"Yes. Mobile Pegasus—clear some space."
"Beep~"
The robot moved the table and sofa aside, then stood obediently at the edge of the room.
"Then let us begin."
Izuku knelt on one knee before All Might—right hand over his chest, left hand behind his back, head bowed.
He began reciting the Knight's Oath.
"Humility. Integrity. Compassion. Valor. Justice. Sacrifice. Honor. Soul.Before powerful foes, I shall not fear.I shall act with courage and loyalty.I shall protect the weak and defy injustice.
I swear to show mercy to the powerless.I swear to stand bravely against tyranny.I swear to fight all wrongs.I swear to defend the unarmed.I swear to aid those who seek my help.I swear never to harm women.I swear to stand with my brothers.I swear to be true to my friends."
As Izuku spoke, white feathers suddenly filled the room.
Eight translucent knights, each holding a ceremonial sword of honor, emerged from the void and surrounded him.
"What… is this?" All Might gasped.
He could feel immense power radiating from them—yet not a trace of malice.
Bakugo finally burst in.
The moment the door flew open, he saw Izuku kneeling—apparently injured—surrounded by eight figures.
Without hesitation, Bakugo activated his Quirk and charged.
"Only I get to bully Deku! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
BOOM!
One of the knightly apparitions casually flicked a hand, slamming Bakugo into the wall.
"So strong…" All Might swallowed hard.One of these would be dangerous enough—there were eight.
The knights raised their swords.
Though they were only projections, their voices rang clearly.
"We are humility.""We fight for honor.""We are the embodiment of valor.""We show compassion to the weak.""We uphold truth.""We stand for justice.""Our spirit endures."
They placed their swords upon Izuku's head.
"The Knight's Spirit—Humility, Integrity, Compassion, Valor, Justice, Sacrifice, Honor, and Soul—shall never perish!"
The apparitions vanished.
At the same moment, a massive greatsword appeared in All Might's hands.
After a stunned pause, All Might gently tapped Izuku's shoulder three times with the flat of the blade.
"May justice be with you."
As he spoke, All Might felt power flooding back into his body.His time limit—once only two and a half hours—expanded to four full hours.
"Our young knight has yet to fully grow," a voice echoed. "Until then, we entrust him to you."
White feathers swirled around Izuku, forming enormous angelic wings behind him.
Bakugo, finally breaking free from the wall, stared in disbelief.
"He's… an angel?"
"Mobile Pegasus—belt!"
"Beep!"
The robot launched a belt and a flip phone from its body. Izuku caught them, fastening the belt around his waist.
He flipped open the phone and pressed the number five three times.
"Five. Five. Five. Complete."
"HENSHIN."
Izuku inserted the phone into the belt.
Transformation—initiated.